Christmas markets in Kent this weekend including at Rochester Castle, Leeds Castle and Canterbury
Festive food and drink, unique gift ideas, carol singers and Christmas music - even the odd visiting donkey!
Bags of Christmas spirit can be found at a festive market in Kent. We round up those taking place across the county this weekend if you're in search of a day out:
Fremlin Walk, Maidstone
Saturday, November 9 until Sunday, January 5
Packed full of festive gifts and tasty hot food and drink the stall holders in traditional wooden buildings will remain at Fremlin Walk until January. Organisers are also running the exceptionally popular free Story With Santa sessions in the run up to Christmas. The meet and greets must be pre-booked due to demand, visit www.fremlinwalk.co.uk for more details.
Christmas Market, Maidstone Museum
Saturday, December 14
Browse a range of stalls selling tasty local produce and beautiful handmade gifts. The market is running between 10.00am and 3.30pm.
Canterbury city centre
November 22 until December 24
The annual Christmas Market in Canterbury is promising to be bigger and better than ever before this Christmas with more stalls, more events and of course Santa in his grotto. Get unique gift ideas, snap up seasonal treats and enjoy warming drinks and cocktails in the city centre's picturesque setting.
The market will be open 10am to 5pm Sunday to Thursday, 9am until 6pm on Fridays and Saturdays but will close at 3pm on Christmas Eve. For a complete list of stalls or to book a visit to see Santa in Whitefriars Square please visit canterburychristmasmarket.co.uk
It's also worth remembering that Canterbury's new ice rink for Christmas 2019 has also now opened just down the road in Dane John Gardens. Full details here.
Leeds Castle, Leeds near Maidstone
December 14 and 15
The Christmas Market returned to the lawn overlooking the castle in November and will enjoy it's final weekend of opening this Saturday and Sunday. There will be seasonal gifts, toys and festive decorations and specialist food and drink on offer. In the centre of the market families can enjoy nostalgic fairground rides on the Victorian carousel or on the big wheel, all set to live music.
A yearly admission ticket, which starts from £25 an adult and gives free repeat visits for a year. Leeds Castle's festive event Magical Birds and Festive Feathers, which sees its states rooms beautifully decorated, runs until January 1. More details here.
Gravesend Borough Market, High Street, Gravesend
Saturday, December 14
The town centre's dedicated undercover market building will be holding a number of traditional Christmas markets in the run up to Christmas including one this Saturday (December 14). The market will be open10am until 4pm.
Faversham Christmas Markets, Market Square
Sunday, December 15 and Sunday, December 22.
The Christmas Markets have become a popular yearly event for Faversham and its Market Square. Pick up gorgeous locally made gifts and produce, enjoy some festive music and try some food and drink. With brass bands, carol singing and even some visiting donkeys there will definitely be something for everyone.
The Big Christmas Market, The Alexander Centre, Preston Street, Faversham
Saturday, December 14 and Sunday, December 15
Browse the stalls, enjoy a festive refreshment and you could even pop in for a chat with Father Christmas in his grotto! It's a big festive weekend at The Alexander Centre this Saturday and Sunday, with lots to do for all the family. To learn more about everything happening click here.
Folkestone Christmas Market, Sandgate Road
Until Sunday, December 22
A new exciting arrival for 2019 is the first Christmas Market for Folkestone. It will be in the precinct near to Debenhams, WH Smith and Costa on Sandgate Road.
Browse the festive gifts and enjoy winter warming festive food and drink. Between Monday and Friday the market will be open 10am until 6pm. on Saturday 9am to 6pm and Sunday 10am to 5pm. A number of special events are also being organised to run during the market including live performances, a golden ticket hunt and Father Christmas will be stopping by on opening weekend.
Further details available from folkestonechristmasmarket.co.uk
Rochester Christmas Market
Friday, December 13, Saturday, December 14 and Sunday, December 15
Set in the picturesque Rochester Castle Gardens the market in Medway is always a popular outing with families in the run up to Christmas and it is enjoying its final weekend this Saturday and Sunday.
Not only can you browse a variety of stalls for unique gift ideas and stocking fillers you can also wander through the Bavarian food village or visit the funfair. There will also be live performances to keep you entertained.
And what's more, there will be a guaranteed snowfall all framed by Rochester's fairytale cathedral and castle. The market is open Friday, December 13 from noon until 8pm, Saturday, December 14 from 10am to 6pm, Sunday, December 15 from 10am and 6pm.
Port of Dover, Cruise Terminal One, Dover Western Docks
Weekends from Saturday, December 1
White Cliffs Christmas is back at Dover Western Docks for the fourth year. A Christmas Market will run every Saturday and Sunday from Sunday, December 1 until December 23. You can also enjoy ice skating, festive food and drink and book a grotto visit to see Father Christmas. Stay up to date with all the festive developments at events.doverport.co.uk
Christmas at The Coachworks, Ashford
Saturday, December 14
Delicious local food and gifts is promised at the festive market within Ashford's new event space. The market will take place between 3pm and 7pm and are being organised by Kent Food Hubs.
Winterland Christmas Market, Dreamland Margate
Select dates until Tuesday, December 31
Dreamland at Margate has unveiled its Christmas plans for 2019 which include a winter market with festive food and drinks, yuletide crafts, free festive film screenings, Christmas trees, wreath making and more. A selection of rides will also be open at the Thanet theme park and bookings to meet Santa are also open. All the details here.
